- 10.
I snapped back to reality when my face
started to hurt.
Emily was standing in front of me, her disgust
almost overflowing. Jake was pinned against
L
the wall, his hair a mess, his face swollen. I
couldn’t tell who was the crazy one.
Emily pulled her hand back and said coldly,
“Ethan, what the hell is wrong with you? Look
at yourself. You’re acting like a mental
patient!”
“It’s okay, Emily. Ethan’s got a reason to hate
me.”
Jake touched his mouth and hissed in pain.
“Let Jake go!”
I just stood there. Emily lost her patience and
went to pull me away.
I felt a gentle touch on my arm. I looked and
く
saw Maya looking at me with concern. She pulled me away and smoothed my hair.
“It’s okay, Ethan. I’m here. Don’t be scared.”
My eyes burned, and tears spilled down my
cheeks. I hugged Maya.
Emily’s eyes suddenly turned cold.
“Who is she?”
“Ethan, have you completely forgotten about
me?”
Maya stood on her toes and patted me on the
back.
“Ms. Lancaster? Ethan called off the
engagement.”
L
“And who I am is none of your business.”
Emily’s tone was mocking.
“What do you think you are?”
Maya didn’t answer. She saw that I was
calmer, and took my hand, ready to leave.
“Wait! Ethan, come with me!”
Maya stopped and looked at me. I tugged on
her shirt and whispered,
“Let’s go home, okay?”
She didn’t hesitate. She shut the door on
Emily’s rage.
L
Back inside, Maya gently poured me a glass
of water, took out some medicine from her
pocket, and told me to swallow it. After I
calmed down, she gave me a look.
“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have left you.”
“It’s not your fault.”
I clutched her hand.
“Maya, let’s get out of here, okay?”
Maya searched my eyes for some hint of a
joke. But there wasn’t one. She nodded.
“Are you really willing to give up being a
Stark?”
I nodded.
L
“Maya, I’m in love with you.”
“I’m going to marry you.”
Maya’s face turned red.
“I’ve been in love with you for a long time.”
“I’ll go hand in my resignation right now. I’ll
be right back.”
She put her keys in her pocket and told me,
“I have my key. Don’t open the door for
anyone.”
“When I get back, we’ll pack our things.”
“Got it?”
<
I couldn’t help but smile.
“Got it.”
